About The Healing Barn: Built in summer of 2024, the barn provides a wide open 24’ barn where the animals can mingle with people. With 4 separate dutch doors, guests have a panoramic view of paddocks and the farm. Sometimes guests might want to sit inside and groom ponies, decorate manes, or just watch the animals romp. If a group has certain animals they enjoy, we can try to accommodate them.
There are built in benches for group activities. Wheel chair access. The little mobile book shop is also open for appropriate visitors where guests can browse and purchase Katherine’s illustrated animal books and animal art.
We are interested in bringing the following to The Healing Barn in small, intimate groups:
Group home residents for the mentally challenged
Blind or sight impaired individuals
Those in grief or suffering a loss-either with their counselor or not
Special needs individuals with their care managers/counselors
Elder people from homes or with their caretakers
MUSICIANS!
Are you in a band, or choir and would like to come sing to the animals? We would love it and so do the animals. Even a little children’s choir would be wonderful.
Activities can be casual or more structured depending on your needs:
-grooming ponies brings out conversations, and might open up certain people to share story
-reading to an animal[s]
-playing music to the animals
-learning to walk a pony and learn about the animal, and just sitting and learning to be with a creature. Animals pick up on human feelings and often encounters bring out worthwhile growth for those in need of healing
-If you have a choir, a ukulele group, stitching group, drawing group we can entertain a visit
How to schedule a group visit with your elder home or care facility:
For caregivers or someone who has a friend/family member that would benefit from a healing animal encounter, or private counselors: we ask for a donation of your choice starting at $50. Email Katherine with the details of why you want to do a visit. Not all visits are approved. Past visits have been things like: a woman who lost her husband after years of care taking him; a woman who had a debilitating illness and was having trouble reengaging with life; a woman who lost her home and animals. If approved, Katherine will discuss a plan for what types of animals, and activities might benefit the person on their visit.
For group homes of the disadvantaged or special needs, or one-on-one visits with the disadvantaged or special needs we do not charge. We seek donations so that we can always share time and animals with these residents. Email Katherine if interested.
Please note: Time and energy are put into the preparation for visits to the Healing Barn, and often an assistant is required for elder visits. We recognize emergency cancellations can arise, but we ask for 24 hours notice, as last minute cancellations are disruptive since we must prep for the visit early. If it appears the weather will not cooperate, we will reach out days before to see if a reschedule is warranted.
Email Katherine to discuss possible visits to the Healing Barn or your people or facility.
